Govt proposes allocation of Tk 1,36,606 cr for education sector

The government has proposed to increase the allocation for the education sector to 2 percent of GDP in the upcoming fiscal year of 2026-2027, with a total allocation of Tk 1 lakh 36 thousand and 606 crore. 

In the fiscal year 2025–26, the allocation for the education sector was Tk 87 thousand and 206 crore, equivalent which was 1.39 percent of GDP.

Placing the national budget Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said: “In fulfillment of our electoral commitment, we have set the goal of raising education sector allocations to 5 percent of GDP over the next five years.”

“Since assuming office, work has begun to lay the practical foundations for our pledges to develop infrastructure, enhance the quality of education, expand the use of technology in classrooms, and develop human resources equipped for both domestic and international labour markets,” he said.  

The finance minister said special emphasis will be placed within the education curriculum on technical and vocational education, third-language instruction, sports and cultural development, technology-enabled learning, and 'Learning with Happiness’ joyful education. 

“We want to build an education system in which students acquire not only academic knowledge but also real-life competencies such as creativity, problem-solving, leadership, innovation, and teamwork,” he said.

To transform Bangladesh into a skills-based economy, technical education will be progressively introduced for all students from Class VI onwards, so that every student has the opportunity to be trained in at least one market-relevant skill across various fields — including agriculture, ICT, electrical works, electronics, graphic design, tourism, healthcare, construction, and the creative industries, he said. 

The finance minister said plans are in place to incorporate a mandatory third language — such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, French, or German — into the curriculum alongside Bangla and English. 

The government has already introduced a loan facility of Tk. 10 lakh for students wishing to pursue higher education abroad to support third-language learning, said Khosru.

As part of this, free education for girls has been extended up to the graduate level, he said.

Alongside this, the minister said, merit-based scholarship programmes will be strengthened; school uniforms, shoes, and school bags will be provided for students from poor families; inclusive education for children with disabilities and special needs will be ensured, along with the provision of specialised assistive technology and educational materials.

A Mid-Day Meal Programme will be introduced and progressively expanded across the country to meet the nutritional needs of students and ensure their good health, he said. 

In addition, Khosru said, healthcare services, with particular attention to sanitation and hygiene for female students and women teachers, will be ensured. 

To establish a technology-driven education system, the 'One Teacher, One Tab' programme will be implemented; multimedia classrooms will be established; free Wi-Fi access will be expanded; a unique Edu-ID will be introduced for every student; digital library facilities will be provided; and students will be familiarised with artificial intelligence, robotics, coding, and digital literacy.

As part of environmental and civic responsibility, the following will be ensured: implementation of the 'One Child, One Tree' programme; inclusion of environmental conservation and climate awareness in education; engagement of students in canal excavation, cleanliness drives, and social development activities; participation in awareness-raising activities on disaster management and disaster preparedness; and encouragement of students to keep pets, he said. 

Education will be directly linked to employment, productivity, and economic growth, the minister said adding that strong industry-academia connections will be built, through which students will benefit from apprenticeship and internship opportunities and will be able to launch start-ups and establish themselves as entrepreneurs.

 In addition, industry-recognised short courses will be introduced and skills development centres established through joint initiatives between universities and the industrial sector, he said.

“We wish to improve standards in science, mathematics, English, and information technology for madrasa students alongside their religious education; introduce employment-oriented training programmes; enhance their competitive capacity for higher education and employment; and ensure access to digital education and modern learning materials,” he said.